There was a familiar name at the top of the leaderboard during the early stages of the Nordea Masters - although it was not the Robert Karlsson many were expecting to star this week.
The 22 year old Swedish amateur, whose name is the same as the former European Number One and Ryder Cup star, birdied four of his first eight holes to lead at Bro Hof Slott.
Playing on The European Tour for only the second time in his career, Karlsson enjoyed a hat-trick of gains form the sixth and at four under par led by one from David Drysdale and Lee Slattery.
Drysdale and Slattery currently sit 114th and 115th on The Race to Dubai - those will be the last two positions to retain their cards at the end of the season - and both were doing their chances of remaining on The European Tour a world of good.
Scot Drysdale birdied six of his first 14 holes at the notoriously long venue, although three bogeys checked his progress somewhat.
Slattery, returning from a season on The Challenge Tour last year, birdied the third, seventh, eighth and tenth before a first dropped shot of the day at the 11th.
Home favourites Alex Noren and Magnus A Carlsson were amongst those going well at two under, while Karlsson’s more illustrious namesake was one of the afternoon starters.
